Our bi-monthly newsletter available to members of Altacal. Become a member to receive your own! Articles, reports, signtings, and photos for publication should be sent by email to: Carla Resnick on the first of the month, prior to the next issue.
Resources
Newsletter
Bookstore
Where the Birds Are
Tips for New Birders
AND MORE ...
Attend a field trip and experience birding in some of our beauitful local refuges and environments, while learning from experienced birders. Grab some binoculars and sign up!
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER AND SIGN AN ALTACAL LIABILITY WAIVER PRIOR TO ATTENDING A FIELD TRIP.
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex Bookstore
Update: The bookstore has been closed while the new Visitor Center has been under construction. It is slated to reopen sometime in 2024!
Altacal Audubon Society and the Sacramento NWR Complex partnered together to open a bookstore at the refuge Headquarters south of Willows. Since the refuge is unable to receive money from the public for books and other items, Altacal stepped up to be the fiscal sponsor. This wonderful bookstore has an awesome collection of field guides and other nature-related books, note cards, and clothing items. If you are visiting the refuge, stop by and purchase something!
All sales from the bookstore will go towards helping the refuge purchase items to improve the refuge, help bus school kids to the refuge, and to maintain the visitor center displays and education rooms. You can find them on Facebook or their website.
Check out reviews and journal entries detailing Altacal Members' favorite local birding spots, including recommendations from Kathy Trevino's and Jen Patterson.
New Birder? Here are some great tips.
The enjoyment of birds is a pastime available to all of us…whether we’re viewing their beauty and clever behavior from a kitchen window or from a pristine trail in one of our region’s magnificent wilderness areas.
This page aims to bring together activities from across Audubon’s national network of environmental educators, including the classroom curriculum Audubon Adventures, plus related DIY activities and content from Audubon’s editors. These activities can be done at home or in a yard or park, sometimes with the help of a computer. The goal isn’t to teach a child how to name and identify bird species, but rather to give them space to explore and feel connected to the natural world. If you’re a parent or caretaker, that means you don’t need to worry about your own knowledge of birds or plants. All you need to be is a companion to your child’s curiosity.
Accessibility Challenges
Birdability focuses on removing barriers to access for birders with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, intellectual or developmental disabilities (including autism), mental illness, being Deaf or Hard of Hearing or other health concerns.
Meet the founder, Virginia Rose
Found an injured bird?
Sometimes it is best NOT to rescue baby birds. Before attempting to rescue baby birds, please inform yourself on best practices by reading National Audubon's article "When You Should—and Should Not—Rescue Baby Birds"
Altacal Audubon is not a licensed rehabilitation center, we recommend reaching out to licensed professionals for advice and rehabilitation, if needed.
ON THE FEEDER Wildlife Rescue Directory can connect you with professionals to help injured wildlife.
7 Simple Ways to Help Birds
from Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Make Windows Safer, Day and Night. Simple adjustments to your windows can save birds’ lives.
- Keep Cats Indoors. Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives. Outdoor cats kill more birds than any other non-native threat.
- Reduce Lawn by Planting Native Species. The U.S. has 63 million acres of lawn. That’s a huge potential for supporting wildlife.
- Avoid Pesticides. Look for organic food choices and cut out some of the 1 billion pounds of pesticides used in the U.S. each year.
- Drink Coffee That’s Good for Birds. Shade-grown coffees are delicious, economically beneficial to farmers, and help more than 42 species of North American songbirds.
- Protect Our Planet from Plastics. 91% of plastics are not recycled, and they take 400 years to degrade.
- Watch Birds, Share What You See. Bird watchers are one of science’s most vital sources of data on how the ecological world is faring.